Wireless Connection

Wireless connection is most prone to Internet threats, viruses, worms, and hackers while using your wireless notebook. The most pressing concern with all laptop notebooks about wireless connection is security.

Few tips on making the Wi-Fi experience more secure

Increase the level of settings. Ratchet up the security settings on applications like Microsoft Outlook and Internet Explorer. Keep the encryption feature on wherever possible.
Consider better equipment. Hackers have always found 802.11a and 802.11b very easy to hack. However, 802.11g is harder to crack and you should consider upgrading your hardware to a "g" card. However, 802.11g is backward compatible and will thus not protect you from older Wi-Fi networks. A personal firewall, such as ZoneAlarm or BlackICE can significantly add up to the security level of the laptop.
Do not send sensitive data over a WiFi hotspot. Practice safe surfing. Do not type your credit-card number, expiration date, passwords, bank account numbers, etc. while you are surfing.
Stay offline. If the risks outweigh the benefits, then it would be better to stay offline, at least until the new 802.11i standard is not implemented. Even then, the security can be breached, albeit with difficulty. If you do not need the wireless, then stay away from it.

Precautions to take at a public WiFi hotspot

Be aware of people around you.
Encrypt files before transferring or emailing them.
Make sure you are connected to a legitimate access point.
Password-protect your computer and important files.
Turn off file sharing.
Update your operating system regularly.
Use a personal firewall.
Use a virtual private network (VPN).
Use anti-virus software.
Use Web-based email that employs secure http (https).

The WiFi alphabet spaghetti

If you are thinking of Wireless Internet access, consider protocols like 802.11, 802.15, 802.16, and 802.20. However, for most notebook computer users 802.11 would be sufficient with added "a", "b", or "g". There are protocols like "e", "h", "i", and "n" that are waiting in the wings to make their entry. Nevertheless, as of now, 802.11g is the only protocol that one needs to think when it comes to wireless connectivity.

Wireless network standard 802.11g - The latest Wi-Fi

The standard 802.11g offers five times better connection speeds than 802.11b, of up to 54 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz radio band. It is backward compatible and is more secure, and more stable. Most notebooks manufactured today are all 802.11g-ready. The 802.11g standard specifies Wi-Fi Protected Access or WPA, which will replace the older Wired Equivalent Privacy or WEP. Until the 802.11i network security standard is implemented, the WPA shall work as an interim solution. The 802.11i plans to incorporate a new algorithm called Temporal Key Integrity Protocol, which shall be much more secure and reliable. However, since it is a new standard, the risk is that it may not perform as promised along with the risk of fast becoming obsolete by newer standards before you have the time to benefit from it. If you are thinking of getting a transition from a wired to a wireless solution, then you should opt for 802.11g as this is the latest WiFi standard and can easily be upgraded.